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Portions not contributed by visitors are Copyright 2018 Tangient LLC
TES: The largest network of teachers in the world
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New Beginning: Moving into the “Toy World”By David ParkWhat if you were leaving Canada next week and staying at a foreign country for a while? How does this situation appeal to you? Each one of you might have different reactions, but some of you would feel sad and depressed for a while.The number of international students from various countries at Leo Hayes High School has increased recently. Minji Cho and Rachel Jeong, Grade 12 students of Leo Hayes from South Korea, participated in an interview to answer questions that many Lions would have for international students..
Minji: I came to Leo Hayes in February of 2007, so I have been here about two years and seven months.
Rachel: I have been here for two years. I came here in September of 2007.
Minji first stayed in Toronto for a year before she came to Fredericton. In Fredericton, she and her sister, Michelle Cho, went to Fredericton High School for a semester while living on the Southside. For Rachel, Leo Hayes is her first Canadian school.Why did you decide to come to Leo Hayes? What made you want to come here?
Minji: I always had a dream of studying abroad since I was young, because I really wanted to experience and learn new cultures and languages.
Rachel: I wanted to study abroad as well because I thought I could have more opportunities in the field of the Arts. And, I always wanted to learn the original English language because since Koreans do not speak English; it was hard for me to learn it in Korea.
What feeling did you have right before leaving your country?
Minji: I was a little bit nervous, but so excited to go because studying abroad and experiencing other cultures had always been my dream. However, I had to stay in Toronto alone for a while and this made me sad because I could not see my family.
Rachel: I felt sad as well when my friends had a good-bye party the day before I left. It felt really strange that I was actually leaving.
How did you feel on the first day at Leo Hayes? How about community?
Minji: I was impressed by Leo Hayes on the first day because Leo Hayes was different from Fredericton High. I loved the design of the building and the way all the classrooms are located! It was easier to find the classes here than at FHS. I used to get lost often in there.
Rachel: What I remember from the first day of school is the lion mascot at the front door! I was a little bit scared to see it because I really did not know what was going on then. When I first came here I thought that the city was so small – it felt like a toy world. The airport was small, stores were small, and the buildings were short.
Rachel and Minji are living with their families in Fredericton. However, Rachel’s dad is still in Korea due to his businesses although he wants to come and live together. Minji stayed first year in Toronto only with her sister; they stayed with a Korean host family there.
What is your favorite thing about Leo Hayes?
Minji: I like the way that the teachers teach us. In Korea, we were always asked to do what the teachers told us to do so. It was very dependent on them and was not productive at all. Whereas, in Leo Hayes I can choose the way I want to study, especially for the assignments and projects. Although they require lots of work to do, it is more independent and a “real” study.
Rachel: the school finishes at 3:30pm everyday and it is great because we go home early – in Korean high schools, I had to stay until 10 o’clock evening. And, all my Canadian friends are very kind and friendly – I love it!
What do you think about Canadian friends?
Minji: Everyone has an easy and composed attitude. Teachers and students do not seem to be very competitive with others. And the students do not easily give up due to their low marks; I think it is because they have lots of chance to raise their marks up throughout the semester. In addition, they are super kind! They are always very nice to me and my friends.
Rachel: I totally agree with what Minji said! To add more, I think they are open-minded, especially for dating. When I got to Leo Hayes first, I was really embarrassed to see some couples in a hallway hugging and kissing..! This was such a cultural shock.
Even though Minji and Rachel had some problems and difficulties with adjusting into a new country and school, now they are very well settled in Leo Hayes High School and the community of Fredericton and they are satisfied with the new lifestyles.